Foldable display device and easel



June 28, 1949. L. EBERT 2,474559 FOLDABLE Di'SPLAY DEVICE AND EASEL 7 Filed Jan: 4, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR Lawwq'ylber Y ATTORNEY 7 Filed Jan 4, 1947 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 28,1949. 1.. EBERT I 2,474,659

FOLDABLE DISPLAY DEVICE AND EASEL I INVENTOR Laaiwg'zlber v ATTORNEY? k Patented June 2e, 1949 OFFICE FOLDABLE DISPLAY DEVICE AND EASEL Ludwig Ebert, New York, N. Y., assignor to Einson-Freeman 00., Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 4, 1947, Serial No. 720,249

8 Claims. (01. 1248-35) a position lying fiatwise against the display panel and an operative propping position extending rearwardly from the panel.

It is frequently desirable that a display device of this general character be so constructed that shipping and storage purposes. Where the collapse is to be achieved by folding the device along a line substantially parallel to the base, a peculiar problem is presented by virtue of the thickness of the sheet stock of which the device is composed.

' One way of collapsing the device is to provide the easel with a transverse line of fold, so that the top portion of the easel may swing rear- Wardly to overlie the bottom portion. If the top portion of the easel is adhesively secured to the top portion of the display panel, this requires that the display panel be cut through along the line of fold. In the alternative, the easel may be permitted to fold rearwardly upon itself, while the display panel is folded forwardly, but in such a case, the top portion of the easel cannot be permanently secured to the top portion of the display panel, and a special means must be provided for holding these parts in engagement when the device is set up.

So that the forward face of the display panel may not be marred by a transverse out, it is desirable that a folding of the display panel be in the forward direction. It is also desirable, to avoid warping, and to simplify the manufacture and use of the structure, that the easel be permanently secured to both the top and bottom portions of the display panel. It is a general object of the present invention to provide a display device in which these two desirable results are capable of simultaneous achievement.

I accomplish this general objective by providing for a forward folding of both the display panel and the easel, and by forming excess material in the easel wing or wings adjacent to the fold line, so as to compensate for the thickness of the flat stock of which the display panel is composed.

it may be collapsed into a smaller bundle, for

Other more particular objects of the invention reside in the particular manner in which this mode of operation is accomplished and in the nature and manner of assembly of the constituent parts whereby the resultant display device is inexpensive to manufacture, simple to use, and unusually staunch and effective in its set-up condition.

I achieve these objects and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the man-, ner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figural is a perspective view, from the rear, of a display device of the present improved character, shown in set-up condition;

Figure 2 is an elevational rear view on a slightly enlarged scale;

Figure3 is a plan view of the device in set-up condition;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of structure in partially collapsed condition; and

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the device incompletely collapsed condition.

I have chosen to illustrate a display panel of substantially rectangular contour, adapted, when set up, to rest on its lower edge It]. Thispanel is provided with a fold line H extending in a direction substantially parallel to the edge It, and

defining an upper panel portion 12 and a lower panel portion 13. The panel is composed of flat stock, suchas cardboard,and the fold line H is preferably produced by a out which extends from the rear surface part-way toward the front sur face. This permits the upper portion I2 to be folded forwardly over the lower portion [3, as indicated most clearly in Figure 6, without impairing the smooth continuity of the front displaysurface of the panel.

. Secured to the rear surface of the panel is a collapsible easel which is also formed of fiat sheet stock, such ascardboard or the like. The easel is provided with one or two wings, and I have chosen to illustrate a construction in which there are twosuch Wings These wings are designated by the reference numerals Hand l5. The wing I4 is in hinged association with the panel along a substantiallyyertical line 16 which intersects the line of fold l I; and the wing I5 is similarly hinged along a line I! which intersects the fold line H.

The easel portion between the hinge lines l6 and I1 defines an attachment section It which is permanently (preferably adhesively) secured 3 to the rear surface of the display panel both above and below the fold line H.

The wings l4 and I5 are adapted to swing from the spaced propping positions of Figures 1-4 to the inoperative positions shown in Figure 5, wherein each wing lies flatwisc against the display panel. This is t re position into which the wings are adjusted when the device is to be collapsed, and the final step consists in folding the ,4

structure forwardly, as shown in Figure 6. To permit this desirable result to be accomplished, each of the wings is provided with a transverse fold line. Thus, the wing l5 has a fold line H! while the wing M has a fold line 20. Adjacent these fold lines, the wings are formed with excess material to compensate for the thickness of the flat stock of which the panel portions I2 and,

13 are composed. This excess material assumes the form of a pleat 2! adjacent to the fold line I9, and a similar pleat 22 adjacent to the fold line 26. When the wings are in the propping positions, these pleats project toward each other and lie substantially in a plane at right angles to the planes of the wings. To facilitate this action, the attachment section [8 may be completely cut through, at 23, at the level of the fold line II.

For a purpose presently to be described, the

wing H5 is provided with a pair of aligned vertical slots 24 arranged adjacent to and on opposite sides of the pleat 2i, and the wing I4 is provided with a similar pair of slots 25.

To hold the wings in their propping positions, a means is provided for engaging the pleats 2! and 22. This means consists of a bracing flap 26 carried by the attachment section l8. The flap 26 together with an attaching link 21, is preferably formed as an integral part of the single blank of which the easel may be composed, and this may be accomplished by cutting through the blank along the oddly shaped line 28. This line is a continuous out extending downwardly from the point 29, around the flap 26, and upwardly to the point 30. Extending between the points 29 and 3!] is a fold line 3| parallel to the fold line H.

Between the connecting link 21 and the flap 26 there is a fold line 32 so that the parts may be adjusted, as shown most clearly in Figure to dispose the bracing flap-26 in a position substantially parallel to and spaced from the display panel.

Extending into the flap 26 from its opposite edges are the notches 33 and 34. This forms tongues 35 on opposite sides of the notch 33, and tongues 36 on opposite sides of the notch 33. The tongues 35 are adapted to fit snugly into the slots 24, and the tongues 36 are adapted to fit snugly into the slots 25.

When the device is manufactured, the display panel is first completed by cutting it to the desired shape, forming the fold line H, and embellishing its forward display surface in the desired manner. (This latter embellishment may consist in adhesively securing to the front face of the panel a continuous sheet of lithographed paper or the like.) The easel is also out and scored in a separate operation to produce the between the attachment section l8 and the real surface of the display panel.

When the device is shipped or stored, it assumes the position shown in Figure 6.

When the device is set up into display position, the first step is to swing the parts into the relationship of Figure 5, then the wings I4 and I5 are swung rearwardly, and the bracing flap 26 is brought outwardly and caused to engage with the wings. This engagement is effected by frictionally forcing the pleat 22 into the notch 35, and similarly engaging the pleat 2| into the notch 33. At the same time, the tongues 35 are caused to project outwardly through the slots 24, and the tongues 36 are caused to project outwardly through the slots 25. This firmly braces the easel wings and affords an unusually staunch and rigid structure.

The collapsing of the device is accomplished by reversing the procedure, as will be understood. Obviously, if desired, one of the easel wings may be dispensed with since a single wing may be sufficient under certain circumstances to support the display panel in upright position.

Also, if desired, the device may be further rigidified by providing an ordinary easel-lock in association with one or both wings, either above or below the region where the wing pleats are engaged. The type of easel-lock to which I refer consists of a bracing flap formed as an integral part of the easel material, and adapted to swing into a substantially horizontal direction and into locking engagement with the easel wing or wings Y when the latter is in propping position.

While, in the present drawings, I have illustrated a device in which the fold line II is accurately horizontal, it will be understood that this disposition of the fold line is not essential. It

" may be inclined without altering the essential character or mode of operation of the device. It is for this reason that this fold line has been described and claimed as being substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the display panel. An accurate parallelism is not essential.

In general, it will be understood that the details herein described and illustrated may be modified in various respects by those skilled in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a display device, a panel foldable forwardly along a line substantially parallel to its bottom edge, and a collapsible easel secured to its rear surface and comprising: an attachment section having portions adhesively secured to the 3 panel both above and below said fold line, a

wing hinged to said attachment section and adapted to swing either flatwise against said panel or rearwardly into a propping position, said wing extending across said fold line and be- I ing provided with a pleat at the level of said fold configurations and cut-outs hereinbefore described. The easel is then laid flatwise against the rear surface of the panel, as shown in Figure 5, with the pleats 2| and 22 projecting rearwardly in the manner shown. The superposed parts are then permanently connected by means of adhesive which has been previously interposed parallel to and spaced from said panel, and a link hingedly connecting said flap to said attachment section of the easel, said attachment section, said link, said bracing flap, and said wing forming integral parts of a Single flat blank of sheet material.

3. In a display device, a panel foldable forwardly along a line substantially parallel to its bottom edge, and a collapsible easel secured to its rear surface and comprising: an attachment sectlon having portions adhesively secured to the panel both above and below said fold line, a pair of wings hinged to opposite edges of said attachment section and adapted to swing either fiatwise against said panel or rearwardly into spaced propping positions, each wing extending across said fold line and being provided with a pleat at the level of said fold line to permit forward folding of th easel along with said panel when the wings are flat against the panel, said pleats facing toward each other when the wings are in propping positions, and a bracing flap carried by the attachment section of the easel and adapted to engage said pleats when the wings are in said propping positions.

4. In a display device, a panel foldable for- Wardly along a line substantially parallel to its bottom edge, and a collapsible easel secured to its rear surface and comprising: an attachment section having portions adhesively secured to the v panel both above and below said fold line, a wing hinged to said attachment section and adapted to swing either fiatwise against said panel or rearwardly into a propping position, said wing extending across said fold line and being provided with a pleat at the level of said fold line to permit forward folding of the easel along with said panel when the wing is fiat against the panel, and a bracing flap carried by the attachment section of the easel and provided with a notch adapted to engage frictionally with said pleat when the wing is in propping position.

5. In a display device, a panel foldable forwardly along a line substantially parallel to its bottom edge, and a collapsible easel secured to its rear surface and comprising: an attachment section having portions adhesively secured to the panel both above and below said fold line, a wing hinged to said attachment section and adapted to swing either flatwise against said panel or rearwardly into a propping position, said wing extending across said fold line and being provided with a pleat at the level of said fold line to permit forward folding of the easel along with said panel when the wing is flat against the panel, and a bracing flap carried by the attachment section of the easel and adapted to engage said pleat when the wing is in propping position.

6. In a display device, a panel foldable forwardly along a line substantially parallel to its bottom edge, and a collapsible easel secured to its rear surface and comprising: an attachment section having portions adhesively secured to the panel both above and below said fold line, and a wing hinged to said attachment section and adapted to swing either flatwise against said panel or rearwardly into a propping position, said wing extending across said fold line and being provided with a pleat at the level of said fold line to permit forward folding of the easel along with said panel when the wing is flat against the panel.

7. In a display device, a panel composed of fiat stock and foldable forwardly along a line substantially parallel to its bottom edge, a propping wing hinged to the rear surface of said panel along a line intersecting said line of fold, said wing being adapted to swing either flatwis'e against said panel or ,rearwardly into a propping position, said wing being provided with a medial transverse fold line allowing forward folding of the wing along with the panel when the wing is flat against the panel, and excess material formed .in the wing adjacent to said transverse fold line to compensate for the thickness of said flat stock, said excess material assuming the form of a pleat projecting transversely from the plane of the win when the latter is in propping position.

8. In a display device, a panel composed of flat stock and foldable forwardly along a line substantially parallel to its bottom edge, a propping wing hinged to the rear surface of said panel along a line intersecting said line of fold, said wing being adapted to swing either flatwise against said panel or rearwardly into a propping position, said wing being provided with a medial transverse fold line allowin forward folding of the wing along with the panel when the wing is fiat against the panel, excess material formed in the wing adjacent to said transverse fold line to compensate for the thickness of said flat stock, said excess material assuming the form of a pleat projecting transversely from the plane of the wing when the latter is in propping position, and

means for clamping said pleat in said projecting position.

LUDWIG EBERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,232,766 Cadmus July 10, 1917 1,301,797 Ziegler Apr. 22, 1919 1,583,843 Kellogg May 11, 1926 2,278,076 Horr Mar. 31, 1942 2,379,598 Skogh July 3, 1945 

